Opening Discussion

• If you could be a judge on a competition show, which show would you choose and why?

Read and Discuss

John 11:25-26

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

• What did Jesus believe about Himself?
• Why does Jesus get to genuinely declare that He is the resurrection?
• Do you believe that everyone who believes in Jesus will never die?
  • Why do you believe that?

Extra Questions

• What does Jesus mean that if someone that believes in Him dies, they will live?
• How does the truth of this passage influence the way you live your life?
• Who is someone that maybe struggling with this truth that you can talk to about this week?

John 5:18-30

18 This is why the Jews began trying all the more to kill him: Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God.

19 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing, and he will show him greater works than these so that you will be amazed. 21 And just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to whom he wants. 22 The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all people may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

24 “Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

25 “Truly I tell you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he has granted to the Son to have life in himself. 27 And he has granted him the right to pass judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of condemnation.

30 “I can do nothing on my own. I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

• What does Jesus believe happens after we die?
• What do we learn about Jesus from this passage?
• How can we help those who are “dead” hear the voice of Jesus?
• Who can you talk to this week about Jesus?

Extra Questions

• Why do some people hear Jesus’ words but don’t believe?
• Why does Jesus get to pass judgment after we die?
  • What does Jesus say needs to happen to get out from under that judgment?
• How can you make sure that your actions line up with your beliefs?
• What area of your life do you need to submit to the leadership of Jesus?
• What are some small steps you can take this week to do that?

Memorize it!

John 5:24

24 “Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

Prayer TACOS!

Thanksgiving- Give thanks for Jesus taking the judgment out from under us

Adoration- Worship the Father for showing the Son how to live

Confess a time this week when you did things your way instead of trusting Jesus’ ways and teachings

Others- Pray for someone who is dead in their sin. Ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to share life with them

Self- Ask the Lord to show you any areas that are out of line with his word.